On our last trip to mysore melkote was our final destination, my friends Ravi and Anirudh had planned everything very well, we reached the place by 5pm. Melukote (High or superior Fort) is a one of the principal sacred places in the state.
The place is also known as Tirunarayanpura. It is built on rocky hills known as Yadavagiri or Yadugiri overlooking the Kaveri valley. This shrine is known for its long standing association with the spiritual leader Ramanujacharya. Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana who had become a follower of Ramanujacharya granted the fertile land as Ashta-Gramas on the banks of river Cauvery.
Melkote has two distinct temples. First temple is situated on the top of the hill is an attractive temple dedicated to Lord Yoga Narasimha. After climbing 100 more steps we reached Narasimha Temple. It is believed that the image of Yoga Narasimha temple was installed by Prahlada. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III presented a gold crown to this temple.
After that we visit Kalyani (The temple houses a large pond called as Kalyani Theertha)The temple premises also houses the oldest Sanskrit college named Sri Veda Vedantha Bodhini Sanskrit Mahapathashala.
This ancient Sanskrit college in India dates back to 1854. The institution continues to provide instruction in Sanskrit and Indian Philosophy.
After that we visited one half constructed temples which is also one of the very famous place here. When we finish all this temples it was already late so we moved to the main temple which is a square building of large size but very plain is dedicated to Lord Cheluva Narayana Swamy. The temples of Melkote have made the town a popular tourist attraction.
My friend Ravi brings Puliyogare & some sweets from priest house everyone tasted it & returned back with nice memories of our ancient spiritual word.
Vairamudi Utsav or Vairamudi festival, this temple of Melkote is popular for its Vairamudi Utsav, which is held in the month of March/April, the procession idol of Cheluvaraya Narayana Swamy is decorated with a diamond crown and taken out in procession.
The Vairamudi utsav, which is the chief annual celebration, is witnessed by more than 4 lakh people.It is believed that the diamond crown is not to be viewed at when it is not worn by the utsav murthy (procession idol); hence every year, on the occasion, the officiating priest takes out the crown from its chest with his eyes blindfolded and then places it on the head of the idol of Sri Cheluvaraya Narayana Swamy.This Crown set known as Rajamudi was presented to the temple by Rajawodeyar of Mysore & Krishnaraja Wodeyar3 also presented a crown set with precious jewels known as Krishnaraja Mudi.
